Dear Deacon John,
Autumn usually means beautiful days and crisp evenings. But during the last week of the campaign, it can get downright chilly in many North American locations - with some already getting snow!
Of course, weather has never deterred faithful volunteers from going to the vigil and warming the front lines with the love of Christ.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
At the invitation
of Catholic Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs, 40 Days for
Life national director David Bereit was keynote speaker at a large
respect life dinner with 700 attendees.
During his talk,
David encouraged the guests to join him on the sidewalk outside the
Planned Parenthood abortion center … and more than 100 people braved the
chilly mountain air to participate in a 40 Days for Life candlelight
vigil.
The campaign itself has seen many blessings.
"A
few days ago, we learned of a young, pregnant woman who was in need of a
place to live," said Michele in Colorado Springs. "Numerous families
came forward wanting to help and offer their homes."
This reminded her of the early Christians and how they gave all they had to help others less fortunate. "God is bringing us back to the basics," she said, "loving and taking care of each other, and it is truly beautiful to see!"
This reminded her of the early Christians and how they gave all they had to help others less fortunate. "God is bringing us back to the basics," she said, "loving and taking care of each other, and it is truly beautiful to see!"
Calgary, Alberta
One
of the volunteers in Calgary had a chance to show the warmth of
Christ's love to a man who sounded like he really needed it.
She was praying on the sidewalk with a sign that read "you are loved" when a truck pulled over ... and a man started cursing at her. "So all life is precious?" he bellowed.
"Yes," the volunteer answered.
"Even an unwanted kid in foster care who is facing a lifetime of poverty?" he shouted back.
"Yes. Absolutely," she responded. "Their life is precious."
He continued cursing while he questioned her. "The abused? Children conceived by rape? Children whose parents use drugs? The unwanted? The neglected? Are they all precious?"
"I couldn't stop smiling as he questioned me because it felt like he was preaching a sermon," she said. "After each scenario, I answered affirmatively. YES, the disabled! YES, the unplanned! YES! Amen and amen! Each life is indeed precious."
She was praying on the sidewalk with a sign that read "you are loved" when a truck pulled over ... and a man started cursing at her. "So all life is precious?" he bellowed.
"Yes," the volunteer answered.
"Even an unwanted kid in foster care who is facing a lifetime of poverty?" he shouted back.
"Yes. Absolutely," she responded. "Their life is precious."
He continued cursing while he questioned her. "The abused? Children conceived by rape? Children whose parents use drugs? The unwanted? The neglected? Are they all precious?"
"I couldn't stop smiling as he questioned me because it felt like he was preaching a sermon," she said. "After each scenario, I answered affirmatively. YES, the disabled! YES, the unplanned! YES! Amen and amen! Each life is indeed precious."
Here's today's devotional from Carmen Pate of Truth in Action Ministries.
Day 37 intention
Pray that we will each submit ourselves this day as a living sacrifice to God, giving all that we have in us for those being sacrificed on the altar of convenience.
Scripture
I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
-- Romans 12:1
Reflection by Carmen Pate
Since all things are for His glory, we are to offer ourselves for that purpose. This of course is in sharp contrast to those who are being swayed by the enemy to sacrifice their babies on the altar of convenience, rather than choosing to surrender their all, including their unborn child, to the Lord for His purposes.
A career, education goals, or even a boyfriend can unknowingly become an idol for some young women. In their minds, abortion is a convenient way to "rid themselves" of an obstacle in the way of their "worship."
In light of the sacrifice Christ made on our behalf, and the fruit of God's mercies on our lives, we owe God our highest form of praise and worship. Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices is therefore reasonable service.
We were made to worship God and God alone. The enemy who seeks worship for himself distorts God's truth regarding worship, sacrifice, idols, and children.
As you have given of yourself to rescue those who are perishing -- the young woman and her child -- you are worshiping God in the truest sense of the word.
May your example lead an abortion minded client to turn from her idols to worship the one true God, sparing her child from the altar of convenience, and sparing herself from a lifetime of regret.
Prayer
God Almighty, You alone are worthy of our praise and worship. Having accepted Your Son's sacrifice on my behalf, I in turn present my body to you as a living sacrifice. Thank you for deeming me holy and acceptable because of Christ's shed blood for me.
I pray that you would use me as your vessel to rescue others who are perishing. Through Christ who is Our Glory, Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2013day37print.pdf
For Life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
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PS: What's new with 40 Days for Life in your community? Please share any stories by leaving a comment at today's blog entry:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=5141
